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Establishment:
Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) was established in the year 2000
with the enactment of the Bhutan Telecommunications Act. The office was then
called as Bhutan Telecommunications Authority. It was renamed as Bhutan
Communications Authority in the year 2003 with the establishment of new
ministry for Information and Communications. In the year 2005 it got
it's present name, extending its mandates to regulate ICT and Media services in
the country. with the enactment of the
Bhutan Information Communications and Media Act
2006, BICMA is formally de-linked from its
parent Ministry, Ministry of Information and
Communications to function as an independent,
autonomous body from 1st January 2007.
Mandates:
Its functions include
regulation of telecommunications services, media services like cable
television, broadcasting and printing press, assignment of radiocom frequencies
and management of the radiofrequency spectrum. It licenses all ICT and Media
facility providers and service providers. It also prepares various guidelines,
sets technical standards and frame terms and conditions for provision of such
services.
Divisions:
The office has
Three Divisions, namely, Telecommunications, Media and Post, Radiocommunications and
a General Support section. Each Division has different roles and responsibilities.
Telecommunications Division is responsible for all ICT related regulations
including licensing and issuance of permits for ICT service providers. The
Division has a standardization unit under it which develops and implements the
standardization of ICT equipments, draw up regulations and guidelines for
technical specification, type approval and certification.
Radiocommunications
Division is responsible for assignment of radio frequency(ies) for different
frequency bands for different services and applications. Apart from issuance of
permits and licenses for radio users it manages the scarce natural
radiofrequency spectrum. The Division has a radiofrequency monitoring station
currently located at Tsirang for the purpose of monitoring frequency
interferences.
Media
Division
licenses and regulates all the media service providers. Apart
from this the
Division
is also responsible for preview of cinematographic films prior to the
public exhibition. It also has the mandate to setup technical
specifications and standards for media services in Bhutan.
Finally the General
Support section deals with the administrative matters and assist all the
three Sections above. The section is responsible for study of economic aspects
in various ICT and Media services in the country.
Bhutan
InfoComm and Media Authority
Post box #1072, Kawajangsa
Royal Government of Bhutan
Thimphu:Bhutan
Tel: (00975)(2)321506/321507 Fax#:
(00975)(2)326909
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